“Some people are born for Halloween, and some are just counting the days until Christmas.” Stephen Graham Jones, author

I belong to the latter category. 30 days after Halloween, más o ​menos​, our home explodes with Christmas/Hanukkah decorations. Let the season begin . . .

Our friend, Arvada, belongs in the Halloween category and she threw a full blast “Monster Mash” on Saturday night. Her fully decorated haunted house was detailed from top to bottom with elaborate, scary stagings and tableaus. I’d been privy to its early incarnations, but the final, overall appearance was sensationally creepy-crawly.

Clever doesn’t begin to tell the story of her decor, but clearly my favorite was how she managed to hide the many, large “Feria Maestros del Arte” paper flowers (Arvada’s decorations committee head). She has to store them all in her home until decorating day arrives (the show’s in just two weeks time). Well, she camouflaged them in plain sight … all hidden in large, black plastic trash bags stacked up in her jacuzzi bathtub, thus creating a “toxic waste dump site” complete with hands crawling out of it … crazy, spooky.

Inspired by his recent concert, David’s been feverishly creating his Elton John costume for weeks … working in his crafts studio awashed in a flurry of feathers, sequins, rhinestones, fringe, bangles and beads … his very own Bob Mackie bling project. All along he shows me the work in progress, asking my opinion and my answer is always more, more ​more!​ I can’t wait to see him fully dressed in his costume as he’s bound to take top prize. Me ~ I got a really ghoul calavera tee shirt to wear.

David incorporated into his costume the party’s theme: “Mad Hatters” with his elegant hat run amok with hints of “Alice in Wonderland.” His hard work paid off ~ Sir Elton was awarded TOP prize, a bottle of wine, among a field of very creative, homemade costumes. As per Elton “… Saturday night’s alright ooh.”

Most of the gringos departed after 2-3 hours or so, but I met the most charming Mexican couple, Blanca and Itiel (Arvada teaches their young boys English). Also hanging out with us, next door neighbor, Olga and her brother, Roberto from Guadalajara. As typical Latins, we closed the party talking and laughing away the evening, but poor Sir David was nodding off in his chair.

Arvada’s bash turned into Lakeside’s event of the season. The party was a huge success … an open attended bar, taco bar, sweets table, DJ and light show. Creature people mingled and danced to their “Thriller” desires.

Halloween is not a big celebration in Mexico as it coincides with the traditional Día de Los Muertos celebrations. It’s still frowned upon as yet another gringo invasive contribution, somewhat tolerated. However, local kids Lakeside love it knowing that expats give out candy and who’s going to deny them that. Besides, our local Walmart has a dedicated Halloween department.

It’s a year on and we’ve got a fabulous new fountain gurgling away in its new setting (RIP jacuzzi). Victor and his team did a great job, on time and on budget (pinch me, am I still in Mexico?!). They played the radio while they worked, but most enjoyable was hearing them laugh all through the work day.

Soon enough we had our first fountain bather ~ a beautiful black/yellow Oriole. It delightfully flapped and frolicked about. Once the word gets out it’s going to be a very busy place.

​On the Menu …​ Crispy Eggplant slices covered in a North African inspired tomato sauce; a Shrimp Burrito the size of a small torpedo (filled to the brim with shrimp in ranchera sauce, peppers, beans, rice and garnished with guacamole and sour cream); and homemade, locally sourced White Beans in a stew like consistency, served with steamed rice and yummy platanitos maduros ​fritos​.